Julie Anne Riddle

Dr. Julie A. Riddle, beloved and treasured wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to everyone she met was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1961 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Julie entered heaven surrounded by family and loved ones in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 24, 2024, aged 62 Years and 8 months. Julie was born to Joan Crawford Riddle and Dr. William T. Riddle "Bill," and grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, a town where being a "Riddle Girl" was well-known by all. She was the first born girl in their family of three sisters and two brothers. They lived a childhood people would write novels about, one always filled with love. After graduation from Tahlequah High School, Julie continued her education at Northeastern Oklahoma State University with a B.A. in Special Education and a B.A. in Psychology. After teaching Middle School Special Education in McAllister, Oklahoma, Julie made the decision to return to her education and pursue a medical career, going on to study at Oklahoma State University, where she completed her internship with the OSU Medical Center. Following her internship, she joined the Anesthesiology Residency Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, where she met her husband, and the love of her life, Dr. David Miller. They both pursued their careers side by side, moving from Tennessee to St. Louis, Missouri where they were married in a beautiful ceremony on January 3, 1998. The celebration is one that is still remembered. After their newlywed season in St. Louis, Julie and David moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where she was a loved and well-respected anesthesiologist throughout the Tulsa Area. While in Sapulpa, Julie and David fostered new friends and old, and they built a community full of life. Julie hosted and cared for their friends and family without hesitation. Julie and David's family also grew during this time, welcoming their first miracle baby boy, Michael Allan Miller on October 26, 2001. Following Michael's birth, Julie and David moved to the South Tulsa area and welcomed their next miracle baby girl, JoAnna Sage Miller, on February 8, 2005. Julie was a phenomenal mother and she loved Michael and JoAnna with her everything. She perfectly balanced working and being one hundred percent present with her family and children, always placing family above all. She never missed a birthday, play, assembly, graduation or move-in day. There wasn't a day that passed where their home wasn't filled with a family member or friend, or a week that went by without a family dinner or taco night. Julie saw the world with her family and she gave them the world right back. She was always planning an adventure, and was quick to include everyone. Julie had the rare gift of bringing people from all walks of life together. She was the epicenter of a thriving community that brought joy to so many. After an incredible career as an anesthesiologist, Julie retired and was enjoying every minute of life with David, Michael, JoAnna and their friends and family in their beautiful home that she filled with antiques, paintings and photographs of family. Julie was a gifted writer, painter and even loved to crochet. She made every holiday extraordinary. Spending hours cooking old family recipes and breaking out home movies for everyone to enjoy. Julie also had a love for horses that spanned her lifetime. Besides the incomparable happiness that her family and friends brought to her, next were her horses. The time she spent riding and caring for them brought her immense joy and a happiness that was evident to everyone. Truly no one can match the absolute gift Julie has been throughout her life. Her generosity was endless, in all ways. She was first to respond, and first to show up. She was brilliant, but so humble about her accomplishments because her true value was always placed in her family and in her children. Her love, and her laugh, would never fail to light up the room. Her legacy of generosity, love, selflessness, intelligence and kindness has imprinted on each person she loved, and will continue to bless so many people throughout the generations just by the very thought of her and mention of her name. Even in passing, Julie and her family made the decision to honor Julie's wishes to continue to give the ultimate gift and save other's lives through organ donation. She was a miracle. We will thank our God upon every remembrance of her. (Philippians 1:3) Julie is preceded in death by her mother, Joan Crawford Riddle; her father Dr. William T. Riddle "Bill"; and her in-laws Allan and Ruth Miller. Julie is survived by her husband of 26 years, Dr. David Miller of Tulsa, OK; her son Michael Allan Miller of Evanston, IL; her daughter JoAnna Sage Miller of Fayetteville, AR; her siblings: brother Dr. John Riddle of Las Vegas, CA, her sisters: Jane Marie Elkins and husband Rev. Jeff Elkins of Tulsa, OK, Joan Henderson and husband Dr. Brent Henderson of Broken Arrow, OK and brother John Dyson of Fayetteville, AR; her brother-in-law Leigh Miller and wife, Shari of Martinsville, NJ; her uncle, Bob Benn and wife, Sherweeta, of Seminole, OK; her 13 nieces and nephews: Dr. Jonathan Riddle and wife, Dr. Cassie Riddle, of Jenks, OK, Brandan Riddle of Exeter, CA, Elyse Bonifassi and husband, Oscar, of Los Angeles, CA, Emily Gilliam and husband, Seth, of Tulsa, OK, Justin Riddle and wife, Cassandra, of Paso Robles, CA, Mason Miller of Tulsa, OK, Elizabeth Elkins of Chicago, IL, Josh Henderson of Tulsa, OK, Meagan Henderson of Tulsa, OK, Randy Miller and wife, Kate, of Atlanta, GA , Alexa Miller of Royal Oak, MI; her great-nieces and nephews: Ruby, Noah, Isaiah and Gracelyn Gilliam of Tulsa, OK and Jefferey, Benjamin and William Bonifassi of Los Angeles, CA. In addition to many beloved cousins, friends and family. Julie knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior, and was baptized with her daughter at First Baptist Church Tulsa. We know that she is in heaven and we know that Jesus welcomed her with "well done my good and faithful servant." A Celebration of Life will be Monday, August 26, 2024, 1:00PM, First Baptist Church of Tulsa, with Reverend Jeff Elkins and Reverend Deron Spoo officiating. Interment will follow in Tahlequah City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Julie. https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org

Julie Anne Riddle

December 24, 1961 - August 24, 2024